The Benefactor of the Ball - Va. Man Spends $1 Million on Inaugural Package for Disadvantaged

[jefferson_dem]

The Benefactor of the Ball
Va. Man Spends $1 Million on Inaugural Package for Disadvantaged

By Michael E. Ruane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 4, 2008; A01

It was billed as the biggest, most eye-popping of the inauguration hotel packages: the JW Marriott's $1 million "build-your-own-ball" offer. You get 300 rooms, four suites, $200,000 worth of food and drink, and a primo site overlooking the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route.

And it was snapped up within hours of Barack Obama's election as president by a customer the hotel declined to identify.

This morning, the Marriott is scheduled to announce that the buyer is a Virginia businessman who wants to bring to the inauguration disadvantaged people, terminally ill patients, wounded soldiers and others down on their luck.

Earl W. Stafford, 60, of Fairfax County, the founder of a Centreville technology company who grew up as one of 12 children of a Baptist minister, said he will provide his guests lodging, food and special access, as well as beauticians, gowns and tuxedos, if necessary.

Stafford has paid the $1 million, a spokesman said, and is prepared to spend $600,000 more for a breakfast, a luncheon and two balls at the hotel. Stafford said he hopes to recoup some of the $600,000 from other sponsors, yet to be recruited.

"We wanted to . . . bless those who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to be a part of the great celebration, the inauguration and the festivities," he said in an interview yesterday. "Our objective is to bring in a cross-section of society -- those who are distressed, those who are terminally ill, those who are socially and economically disadvantaged, those veterans who are wounded and served our country."

Stafford said the idea was inspired by his deep religious faith and the good fortune that has come his way. The inauguration is an opportunity to remember the less fortunate and remind the country of its traditions of benevolence, he said.

"We've gotten away from those core values that made America great," he said yesterday at the headquarters of his company, Unitech, which provides weapons simulation systems to the military. "We just need to get back to caring about one another."

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/03/AR2008120304095_pf.html

[Fabio]

1. Just an absolutely wonderful story

and an even better idea. I hope they figure out a way to take smaller individual contributions.

[tanyev]

2. Oh, wow. Can you imagine a wealthy GOP donor doing such a thing?

They might donate money for security and fences to keep "those kind of people" away from a GOP inauguration.

[loudsue]

9. EXACTLY what I was thinking. A military contractor? Renting rooms "overseeing" the inauguration?

Nice opportunity for one of those "contractors" who happens to be a sniper, as well.

And with all those rooms? Who would be able to search all those rooms? This thing stinks to high heavens.

[onenote]

13. huh?

So you're saying that this guy's purchase of the Marriott package is part of an assassination plot? What if Marriott hadn't offered the package and had just made the rooms overseeing the inauguration route available on a first come first served basis -- would it be any easier to search them all?

Maybe they should just close the city and not let anyone near the inauguration?

Sure, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about Obama's safety. This guy's purchase of the Marriott package for those who might not otherwise get to experience the inauguration isn't one of them.

[Mike Daniels]

15. Thank you. You just proved my point in a post I made in GD

That this being DU, someone would find something negative about this generous gift simply because this guy has the military as one of his clients.

Thank you for making my day.

[blogslut]

3. I love this guy

Good for him and what a great thing for many deserving people.

[cali]

4. three cheers for Mr. Stafford

Can you imagine what a thrill this will be for the people able to attend because of his generosity?

I love this story.

[jefferson_dem]

5. I've shed more tears of pride, joy, and happiness this past year...

"God Bless the USA!" :)

[BumRushDaShow]

6. "We've gotten away from those core values that made America great,"

Note how he walks the walk when it comes to what a "core value" is? It isn't just a meaningless slogan spouted by mindless hypocritical repuke hate squads?

[ClarkUSA]

7. For people here who denigrate those who are devout Christians, I hope this story opens some minds.

Many Southern Baptists are religious extremist wingnuts but obviosuly not all or even the majority. Mr. Stafford is an
example of a true Christian who believes in faith, hope and charity.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[gblady]

14. huh????

[MasonJar]

8. What a fine man and an example of a true Christian and a model

for all of us. Thank you, Mr. Stafford for your generosity to the diminished.

[Beacool]

10. I only got one comment:

God Bless you, sir!!!

:-)

[Dappleganger]

12. Wow, that choked me up!

[rvablue]

16. "as well as beauticians, gowns and tuxedos, if necessary.."

Oy....this phrase opened up the flood gates........:cry:

He not only is providing full access and lodging and food but these amenities that will allow people to "go in style" , so to speak.

How generous and kind and magnanimous......what a cool man.

And a baptist who is "inspired by his deep religous faith."......take that Sarah Palin and all of the other fundies who have tried to hijack religous faith in order to further their regressive goals and smears.

[Berry Cool]

18. He truly is going to be a "Fairy Godfather"

who's going to help a lot of Cinderellas not only get to the ball, but look great when they go there.

I love it.

[Hellataz]

17. Glad to see some people find this positive

I posted this at another board and got nothing but negativity and bullshit from people who could do nothing but complain about why this man wasn't spending his money on something more important. It's was just veiled complaints form some bitches who can't stand that a black man won and shit on every post i make that has an positive spin on Obama, but whatever with them. I thought the story was inspiring and was amazed by his generosity and am glad to see others do as well.

[TXDemGal]

19. This guy walks the walk

Unlike SOME who claim to follow the teachings of Christ.

[NoPasaran]

20. K&R

This is a wonderful story.